Many years ago, I was obsessed with the ambition to attain physical perfection. I had this idea that if I could weigh a certain amount, have my measurements be an exact number, have my hair the best length and all ten of fingers nails “long” at the same time, I would be perfect and with that perfectly happy. I spent a year working out two hours a day lifting weights, running, doing sit-ups and squats. I carefully measured and tracked everything I ate and I weighed myself daily (okay, multiple times a day). And, then one day it happened. I got up, stood on the scale, took out my measuring tape and voilà – perfection had been reached. For a few moments I was in bliss. I quickly sank into a bit of a depression as I realized I had just spent a year chasing a dream of perfection that didn’t bring me happiness. A few years later, I discovered a few secrets to real happiness. First was the ancient Japanese aesthetic of Wabi Sabi which seeks to find beauty and perfection in imperfection. Slowly, I began to let go of my notions of perfection and find fun ways to reframe the things I formerly judged about myself. For example: as a big-time foodie, I am known as a very messy eater (and I will steal your French fries). Now I’m no longer embarrassed to admit this, and I never apologize for my enthusiastic appetite for food, love, and life.The second was embracing that I am a “Pleasure and Comfort Puppy.” Given how messed up and stressful life is these days. I encourage my friends and clients to commit to putting pleasure on the top of their daily “ToDo” List along with becoming Wabi Sabi Artisans. Perfection doesn’t exist. Pleasure exists to keep us healthy and happy. The choice is yours!

Arielle Ford she is a leading personality in the personal growth and contemporary spirituality movement get in touch with her at:

www.ArielleFord.com
arielleford@gmail.com
970-379-2417/5580 La Jolla Blvd. #614, La Jolla, CA 92037